Department of State, Washington,
June 26, 1865.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your obedient
servant,
Hon. Sir Frederick W. A. Bruce,
&c., &c., &c.
[Rescinding the blockade as to all ports of the United States,
including that of Galveston, June 23, 1865.]
By the President of the United States
of America.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, by the proclamations of the President of the nineteenth and
twenty-seventh of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, a blockade
of certain ports of the United States was set on foot; but whereas
the reasons for that measure have ceased to exist:
Now, therefore, be it known that I, Andrew Johnson, President of the
United States, do hereby declare and proclaim the blockade aforesaid
to be rescinded as to all the ports aforesaid, including that of
Galveston and other ports west of the Mississippi river, which ports
will be open to foreign commerce on the first of July next, on the
terms and conditions set forth in my proclamation of the
twenty-second of May last.
It is to be understood, however, that the blockade thus rescinded was
an international measure for the purpose of protecting the sovereign
rights of the United States. The greater or less subversion of civil
authority in the region to which it applied, and the
impracticability of at once restoring that in due efficiency, may,
for a season, make it advisable to employ the army and navy of the
United States towards carrying the laws into effect, wherever such
employment may be necessary.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this twenty-third day of June, in the
year of our Lord. one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and of
the independence of the United States of America the
eighty-ninth.[seal.]
By the President:
W. Hunter, Acting
Secretary of State,
